The larger of the two Yogurt manufacturing plants in the Town of Batavia has officially opened.

Muller-Quaker Dairy could hire as many 185 people here in Genesee County once the facility if fully operational. That’s why there’s significant empty space inside the facility: it’s room to expand to eight production lines from three.

Showcasing its brand new 350,000 square foot facility Monday, representatives from the Germany-based Muller and Pepsico subsidiary Quaker lauded the region’s ease of access in developing this partnership and plant and also the region’s dairy accessibility.

U.S. Senator Charles Schumer was on hand and says this relationship will continue to support New York dairy farmers.

“These two great companies – we have a match made in dairy heaven," he said. "We’re combining one of the largest dairy-producing regions in the country here in Western New York with one of the fastest growing milk-based products in the world.”

Patti Michalak, Town of Batavia board member, says this is something the Town has supported from the start.

“We are so excited to have them in the Town of Batavia and in GeneseeCounty," she said. "It’s a great, great boost for our economy.”

The smaller Columbia-based Alpina plant has begun some yogurt production at the Genesee County Agri-business Park. Schumer said if more tenants take advantage of the space at the Agri-business Park, then up to 1,000 jobs could be created.